Clamping device



Jan. 25, 1944.I H. H. MERwlN 2,339,871

CLAMPING DEVICE lFiled May 8, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

FIG. l

A from/Er Jan. z5, i944.

H. H. MERWIN CLAMPING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8 1942 mw. m

wu. M H. R. M

Patented Jan. 25, 1944 's QFFICE CLAMPING DEVICE Harry H. Merwin, Rutherford, N. J., assignor to Western' Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 8,- 1942,Serial N o. 442,222

(Cl. -579.469) k 18 Claims.

This invention relates to clamping devices, and more .particularly to self-locking reel clamping devices. i

Reels,'particularly those of the take-up type, used in various stranding machines for taking up the nished product -of such machines, are rotated about their own axis and, in some in-` stances, they are rotated about an axis at right angles .to their own axis. During such times it is important to condition the mechanism supporting the reel against loosening during the times the reel is rotated. l

' An object of the invention is" to provide a clamping device which is simple in structure, easily actuable and positive in its locking effect against accidental releasing of the part it is clamping. 1

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises a clamping device having a threadedly supported clamping element mounted for movement relative to a fixed position clamping member to clamp an article therebetween and self-locking means adapted to' allow free movement of the element in a direction toward theY clamping member to :clamp an article and to prevent movement of the element in the reverse direction, cam means being provided to release the locking means for movement of the element in the reverse direction to release the article.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompany-v ing drawings', wherein Fig. `1 is a front elevational View of the take- Fig.- 5 is a fragmentary top plan view takenv along the line 5-5 of Fig. V2'; f -'.Fi'g. 6 is a fragmentary 'sectional' view taken along the line G- of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 'l ris Ia fragmentary sectional along the line :1s-1 of Fig. 3.

f Referring now tothe drawings, .attention is view taken first directed to Fig. 1, which illustrates atakeup unit, indicated generally at l0, of a stranding machine which has been selected to illustrate the invention. The unit lll includes a flier frame ll .having a hollow shaft mounted in bearings Msupportedon an upright frame I5, the opposite end of theflier frame ll being annular, as at I5, .and supported for rotation between sets of rollers l'l.` The iiier Ill is driven bya motor I8, through a'sprocket and chain connection I9, with the shaft I2 of the flier, this driving means also driving a sprocket and chain connection 20 which drives a shaft 2|. A shaft 22, rotatably supported by the frame I l, supports, at its inner end, a cone center`23 receivable in an end of a hub 24of a take-'up reel 25. Suitable means, such as apin 21, fixed for rotation with the shaft 22 may provide a positiver connection between the reel 25 and the. shaft.. A chain of gears 28, 29, andSl operatively connects the shaft 2l withy the shaft" 22, 'to causey rotation of the reel` 25 counterclockwise, looking downwardly on Fig. l, during rotation'ofthe frame il, to rotate the reel about an axis lat right angles to its axis.

' During ,this rotation of the reel a strand or cable device is indicated generally at and functionsr in cooperation with the center 23 to clampthe reel in place in the frame l I.

' Attention is now directed to Figs. 2 to '7, inclusive. Referringfrst to Fig. 2, the clamping device includes a center member 36 receivable in thehub 24 of the reelv25 at the end opposite the center 23. The center` 36 is mounted upon the end of'a shaft 31 which is supported'by bearing 38 mounted in a, threaded element 49. The element 40 is threadedly disposed in an internally threaded sleeve 4|, the latter being disposed in an aperture 42 of the adjacent portion of the frame Il and rigidly secured in place by the aid of screws 43, only one Iof which is shown in Fig. 2. The element 40 has a reduced portion 44y at the upper end of the threaded portion thereof which extends upwardly to a plane or surface 45, where a further reduced or integral shank Aportion 46 is disposed axially of both the element 40 and the threaded portion of the element.

The shank portion '-45' has a yhand Wheel 48' 50, the nut being threadedly disposed on the threaded ien'd of the shank 46. The hand wheel 48 has an annular hub portion 5| disposed concentric with the shank 46 and free to rotate thereon. An annular cam member 52 is disposed concentric with the hub 5| and is rigidly secured to the hand wheel 48 by the aid of screws 53. At spaced positions at the under portion of the cam 52, enlarged integral portions 55 are disposed, like ends of these portions having vertical abutting surfaces 56, the opposing ends having diagonal cam surfaces 51. The portions 55 of the cam 52 are receivable in recesses 58 of a locking element 59, the recesses being disposed at spaced positions about the upper portion of the element similar to the spacing of the portions of the cam. The element 59 is annular in general contour, centrally apertured to receive the` shank portion 46 and rigidly mounted on the surface 45 of the portion 44 by screws 59'. The recesses 58 in the upper portion thereof are longer than the length of the portions 55 of the cam 52, so as toallow relative rotation of the cam and the element for limited distances. I'he ends of each of the recesses 58 have vertical surfaces 60, certain of them being positioned for abutting engagement with the surfaces 56 of its respective portion 55, the others being positioned 'for abutting engagement with a surface 6| of the cam 52 adjacent the cam surface 51. Through the surfaces 56 and 6| and their respective surfaces 60, a positive engagement is formed between the cam 52 and the locking element 59. Apertures 62 are provided in the locking element 59v at spaced positions adjacent the recesses 58. Ball mem-- bers 63 are disposed in the apertures 62 for free movement therein, the ball members being under the control of the respective portions of the cam 52 and the cam surfaces 51 thereof, for a purpose hereinafter described.

Attention is now directed to the circular arrangement of teeth 64 formed in the under surface of the locking element 59 and also a recess 65 inthe element. A similar locking element 68, annular in general contour and disposed concen tric with the portion 44 of the element 40, has a circular arrangement of teeth 69 adapted for interengagement with the teeth 64 of the locking4 element 59. The element 68 is also recessed as at 10, a metallic ring 1I being disposed in this recess beneath the path of the ball members 63. An annular recess 12 of a supporting member 13 is of a contour to receive the element 68, the member being iixedly held in place by screws 14. The supporting member 13 is centrally apertured for free movement on the portion 44, the supporting member being of the contour shown in Fig. 5, with ends extending beyond the element 40 to support control pins 15 (Figs. 2 and 5). The pins 15, being supported at diametrically opposed positions relative to the element 4U, project downwardly into apertures 16 of the adjacent portion of the frame springs 11 being disposed concentric therewith between the upper surface of the frame and the under surface of the support 13 to normally urge the support `upwardlyT with the locking element 68 to move the latter into registration with the locking element 59, maintaining normal interengagement of their teeth 69 and 64, respectively.

Considering now the operation of the device, let it be assumed thatA an empty reel 25 is `to be mounted between and onthe cone centers. 23 and 36. At this time'the cone center 36 will be spaced a sufcient distance away-from the cone center 23 for the insertion of an empty reel 25 therebetween. V'Ihe mostl convenient position of the frame for the mounting of the reel in place is as illustrated in Fig. 1, with the cone center 23 below and the device 35 above. At this time the empty reel may be located on the cone center 23 and by rotating the hand wheel 48 clockwise (Fig. 5), the cam 52 will be rotated therewith.

During the rotation of the hand wheel and the cam clockwise, the surfaces 56 of the cam portions 55 will abut their respective surfaces 60 of the locking element 59, causing rotation of the locking element 59 relative to a locking element 68. Relative rotation of the locking elements, that is thelocking element 59 relative to the locking element 68, is permitted due to the formation of the teeth of the elements, the locking element 68 being moved downwardly against the force of the springs 11. It is, therefore, apparent that the locking element 68 will not interfere with the rotation of the threaded element 40 in a clockwise direction to move the cone center 36 downwardly, that is toward the cone center 23, until the former has been positioned in the adjacent end of the hub 24 of the reel. When the reel is clamped in place it is ready to receive the strand or cable 32, after which the stranding machine may be set in motion through the operation of the motor I8 driving the flier l0, to rotate the reel about an axis at right angles to its own axis and also, through the driving means, connecting the motor with the cone center 23, to rotate the reel about its own axis to take up the cable thereon.

With the structure of the clamping device, the cone center 36 thereof, or the element which engages the article to be clamped, may be moved into place by clockwise rotation of the hand wheel 48. Once the cone center is in place, it is automatically locked against displacement as soonas the operator releases the hand wheel. The automatic locking is ever present through the associated locking elements 59 and 68, the latter being held against rotation by the control pins 15 and normally urged into engagement with the former locking element'through the force of the springs 11. Furthermore, the cone center, the part which functions in clamping the article, namely the reel, is supported for free rotation without affecting the clamping means. The rotation of the clamping device about an axis at right angles to its own axis, increases the holding force of the locking means due to the effect of centrifugal force being added to the force of the springs 11 to urge the supporting member 13 together with the locking element 68 outwardly to maintain intimate engagement of the teeth of the locking element 68 with those of the locking element 59.

When the reel is filled and the stranding machine is again stopped at the position shown in Fig. l, the operator may remove the reel by rotating the hand wheel 48 ina counterclockwise direction. During the iirst'portion of this movement, the cam52 is moved to cause its portions 55, particularly the cam surfaces 51, to move into engagement with the ball members-63, moving the ball members inwardly to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6.V During this movement of the ball members, inward pressure is applied vthrough the ball members tothe annular member 1|, to move it with the locking element 68 inwardly, which in this instance is downwardly, from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6, movingthe-locking element 68 out of engagement with the element 59. At this time, when the surfaces: 6| of the cam 52 engage theadjacent surfacesli ofthe ele'- ment 59, the mechaniism `is then free for continued counterclockwise movement of the hand wheel, which movement imparts movement of the threaded element 40 in the same direction. Due to the threaded engagement of the element 40 with the sleeve 4l, the counterclockwise movement of the former will move the cone center 36 out of the hub 24 and free the reel 2'5 for removal of the reel from the cone center 23.

It is apparent that the clamping device may be freely actuated in either direction to clamp an article or release an article by the rotation of the hand Wheel in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions, no additional eiort being required of the operator to lock or unlock the device. The device is self-locking once the article is clamped in place. thus relieving the operator of the responsibility of locking the structure in clamped position and eliminating any possibility of the clamping means becoming loose while in service. Furthermore, the structure of the clamp is not aiected by centrifugal force to loosen the clamping means during operation of the machine but utilizes this force to increase the locking effort of the interengaging parts.

Although specific improvements ofthe invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein Without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a rotatable actuator,

means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position to clamp an article when the actuator is rotated in one direction, and means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position.

2. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position to clamp an article when the actuator is rotated in one direction, means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by the rotation of the actuator in the reverse direction to release the locking means.

3. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position to clamp an article when the actuator is rotated in one direction, means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by the rotation of the actuator in the reverse direction to release the locking means and cause movement of the unit free of the article.

4. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a companion clamping member disposed at a xed position relative to the clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, and means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position.

5. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a companion clamping member disposed 'at a'nxed position relative' to theclamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of` the actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse dircction to maintain the unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by the rotation of the actuator in the reverse directiomto release the locking means.

6. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, ay companion clamping member disposed at a fixed position relative to the clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a po-sition relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by the rotation of the actuator in the reverse direction to release the locking means and cause movement of the Aunit free of the article.

7. A clamping device comprising a threaded clamping unit, a threaded support therefor, a companion clamping member disposed at a iixed position relative to the clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, and means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in the clamping position.

8. A clamping device comprising a threaded clamping unit, a threaded support therefor, a companion clamping member disposed at a fixed position relative to the clamping unit,\a rotatable actuator, means under the control of thel actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, a locking unit adapted to lock the clamping unit .against movement in the reverse direction to maintain the clamping unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by the actuator to release the locking unit.

9. A clamping device comprising a threaded clamping unit, a threaded support therefor, a companion clamping member disposed at a xed position relative to the clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotatedin one direction, a locking unit adapted to lock the clamping unit against movement in the reverse direction to maintain the clamping unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by rotation ofthe actuator in the reverse direction to release the locking unit.

10. A clamping device comprising a threaded clamping unit, a threaded support therefor, a companion clamping member disposed at a iiXed position relative to the clamping unit, a rotatable actuator, means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position relative to the clamping member to clamp an article therebetween when the actuator is rotated in one direction, a locking unit adapted to lock the clamping unit against movement in the reverse direction to maintain the clamping unit in the clamping position, and means actuable by rotation of the flo'cking-unit and cause movement of the clamping u'nit to free the article. 11. A clamping device comprising a threadedly supported clamping unit, a rotatable actuator,

means under the control of the actuator to move the unit into a position to clamp an article when the actuator is rotated in one direction, means to lock the unit against rotation in a reverse direction to maintain the unit in theclamping position, and cam controlled means -actuableby the rotation of the actuator in the reverse direction to release the locking means.

12. The combination with a rotatable unit and 'means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, of a 'clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a Vxedposition in the rotatable unit relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit, relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, and means to apply a locking force to the clamping unit to lock it in the clamping position.

13. The combination with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, of a clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a xed position in the rotatable unit relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, and means aiected by centrifugal force during rotation of the rotatable unit to lock the clamping unit in the clamping position.

14. The combination with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, of a clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said` axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a fixed position in the rotatable unit relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, means affected by centrifugal force during rotation of the rotatable unit to lock the clamping unit in the clamping position, and means to release the locking means.

15. The combination with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, of a clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member Amounted at a xed position in the rotatable unit relative to the' clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, a locking mem- .actuatoii in tllereverse` direction 'to' release the ber, means 'adapted `for interengag'ement with the. locking `member secured to the clamping r unit, and means to apply a force to the locking member to cause interengagement thereof with the said means secured to the clamping unit.

16. The combination with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, 'of a clamping device comprising a clamping unitithreadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a xed position in the rotatable unit `relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, a locking member, means adapted for interengagement with the locking member secured to the clamping unit, and means affected by centrifugal force during rotation of the rotatable unit to cause interengagement of the locking member with the said means secured to the clamping unit to lockv it against movement.

17. The combination `with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an axis, of a clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a xed position in the rotatable unit relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetweema locking member, a connecting member adapted for interengagement with the locking member secured to the clamping unit, and a force applying means aided by centrifugal force onthe locking member during rotation of the unit to force the locking member into interengagement with the connecting member.

18. The combination with a rotatable unit and means to cause rotation of the unit about an` axis, of la clamping device comprising a clamping unit threadedly supported in the rotatable unit for movement in a direction transverse the said axis, a companion clamping member mounted at a fixed position in the rotatable unit relative to the clamping unit, means to move the clamping unit relative to the member to clamp an article therebetween, a locking member, a connecting member adapted for interengagement with the locking member secured to the clamping unit, a force applying means aided by centrifugal force on the locking member during rotation of the rotatable unit to force the locking member into interengagement with the connecting member, and means to move the locking memberfree of the connecting member to condition the clamping unit for movement to free the article.

HARRY H. MERWIN. 

